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'Hundred dead bodies' seen in besieged Marawi

Scores of civilians killed in crossfire between army and ISIL-linked group in three weeks of fighting, politician says.

15 Jun 2017 12:30 GMT

Hundreds of civilians are trapped between the army and ISIL-linked fighters in Marawi [Romeo Ranoco/Reuters]

A Philippines politician said residents fleeing besieged Marawi City have seen about 100 dead bodies in an area where the army and ISIL-linked fighters have clashed in the past three weeks.

Zia Alonto Adiong, a local politician who is helping with relief efforts in Marawi, told reporters on Thursday that 500-1,000 people were still trapped in the city on the southern island of Mindanao.

"Dead bodies, at least 100, are scattered around the encounter area," Adiong said.

Volunteers have been trying to extricate hundreds of civilians caught in the crossfire via "peace corridors", Adiong said, but many of those trapped were still opting to hide rather than risk being discovered by the fighters.

Most residents, however, have run out of food and water, Adiong added.